Chesterfield assistant manager Nicky Eaden was delighted with the players’ response to their Boxing Day defeat, when they drew 0-0 with Colchester United at the Proact yesterday.

The result halted Town’s recent losing run and now sends them into the New Year’s Day fixture away at Coventry City (3pm) with renewed confidence.

Speaking exclusively to iFollow, Eaden said: “(I thought it was) A point gained definitely, we’re a bit short on numbers at the minute and we’ve got a make shift back four on show.

“Colchester have been on a good run and we’ve been on a bad one - three defeats in a row - so we just needed to stop the rot.

“It was an improvement from Crewe, which it needed to be. We showed more energy to get on the ball and more desire to play and Jake Eastwood’s made a great save in the first half and after that I don’t think they’ve troubled us too much.”

Manager Jack Lester made one change to the XI that lost against Crewe Alexandra, with Connor Dimaio replacing Chris O’Grady.

That meant a reshuffle in formation, with the Spireites going to a 4-2-3-1, on the changes and midfielder Robbie Weir moving to right back, Eaden said. “I felt Robbie was outstanding, Scott Wiseman also and Hirdy [Sam Hird] was a lot steadier than he has been.

“He’s experienced Robbie and if you’ve got an experienced player playing out of position they genuinely go back to basics.”

Eaden also moved to praise on loan goalkeeper Eastwood, whose saves in either half from Sammie Szmodics and Drey Wright ensured the Spireites kept a much needed clean sheet.

“We’re very happy with Jake, he keeps well, makes his saves and doesn’t really look to have too many weaknesses,” he said.

Next up for Town is the trip to the Ricoh Arena on Monday and Eaden sees no reason why they can’t keep their good run going against teams in the top half of the table.

He added: “It’s this division, you can play a team who if they are at it it’s a tough fixture, but you could play them the week after and go and beat them.

“I know Coventry well, they’ve got a good squad it’ll be a tough game, but we can go there and get a result.”